A tale of Three Davids: Comparing the masters of sculpture
The story of David has been depicted many times in sculpture, but three of the most well known portrayals are by Bernini, Donatello and Michelangelo. By comparing and contrasting the statues based upon their posture and depiction of David's age, we can better understand how the three masters interpreted this heroic tale.
In terms of posture, Bernini's statue is the only one in motion. David is in midstep, about to sling a rock towards the unseen Goliath. By studying Saul's heavy armor at his feet, we can understand how David would have been restricted - he would not be able to turn so quickly or pull back on his sling with the same ease. Interestingly, David's left foot is shown rising into the air, revealing the force put behind the step. Bernini's David looks comfortable in his robes (in fact he is the only statue of the three that is not nude) and the sheer determination on his face reveals he knows what is at stake - if he cannot slay Goliath, Israel will lose. Perhaps the reason for his determination is simple: he knows God is on his side.
Donatello's David strikes a different pose from Bernini's. This David (the only one done in bronze) stands over Goliath's severed head, with a sword at his side and a quiet, almost sullen, look on his face. Perhaps he is catching his breath, allowing the adrenaline to flow out of him after he has just killed Goliath. Curiously, the feathers on Goliath's helmet appear to be caressing David's inner thigh, but he does not move away. The look on David's face seems to be the key to the statue - he does not appear confident or horrified, but merely relieved that his task is over. But there may be shadows of doubt going on in David's mind - the "French" hat partially obscures his face in shadow and we wonder what kind of dark thoughts David might be having - "Did I do the right thing?"
Similar to Bernini's sculpture, Michelangelo's David, the most famous of the three, stands gazing into the distance at an unseen Goliath. His sling is draped over his back and he seems to be making the first tentative footsteps towards his opponent. More like Donatello, this David has a quiet expression on his face and lacks the confidence of Bernini's statue. This expression, his brow furrowed and his eyes wide, appear to be taking in the situation, analyzing it and realizing the enormity of his task. Naturally, Michelangelo's sculpture is the most superior technically - the 17 foot tall statue is near anatomically perfect, with the exception of hands and a head that appear too large for the body (but this is because it was initially designed to sit atop the Florence duomo.) But the way David leans slightly to the side, allowing his abdominal muscles to stretch and how his arms brush against his thigh, almost contemplatively, reveal how Michelangelo mastered and perfected the classical sculpture design. As he has done that, he has also shown how David is truly a king - he has the physique of Hercules yet he is naked and unarmed except for a sling. Only a king with God on his side could hope to conquer the unseen giant (who truly would be gigantic if he were sculpted in proportion to David).
But despite the analysis of posture, it is important to include how the sculptors depicted David's age. Bernini and Michelangelo appear to take liberty with the biblical story - David is not a young boy here, but a man. Their statues have large, defined muscles that are caught in the act of stretching just before the climactic moment. Likewise, both statues support a full mane of hair that appears to be blowing in the wind (especially present in Bernini's, but Michelangelo's David, when looking at the head face-on seems to have his curls being blown back as well). These two men are warriors, even if they do not dress like soldiers.
Donatello's statue, on the other hand, is definitely that of a young boy. His barely developed muscles seem to be just wrinkles on his chest and he holds the sword awkwardly, like someone who has never used one before. The flowing locks, which make David appear almost feminine, seem to accentuate his youthfulness even more so - the hair is not trimmed, perhaps a symbol of David's innocence - no foreign influence has touched him until this day. Paying more attention to the sword, one realizes that David would have required incredible strength in order to behead Goliath with such a small weapon. (Side note: The original sword blade was lost and replaced later, so perhaps he had a much different weapon initially). This fact only underscores the miracle of the story even further - surely David had been chosen by God, as only divine power could have helped him defeat Goliath. The statue not only accentuates David's youth - and that his life has now changed forever - but also glorifies God's power.
563 words/2 pages
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